Disboutiquers Part 19 Kids Disney Boutique / Customs Clothes psst..we sew ;-)

[woodkins]

If it wasn't for the fact that this IS a second opinion.....In two years since his last testing, he has improved about 4 months...considering they did not expect him to make it after the accident, or that he would be a vegetable, I guess I should be grateful he is as far along as he is.

He has severe frontal lobe and right side brain damage. The physical limitations are visible. So I 'know' that problem is there, and I know how to work around it. This problem is hidden, and I guess I always ignore it to an extent.

I have a lot of recommendations but nothing concrete enough for me. I'm shopping for a new curriculum and the only one I can find is going to cost me as much as a year of college! And that is just for the reading!!!

Maybe I'll do like my oldest daughter suggested. Come up with my own curriculum and make a million dollars...right!

Nini

I'm sorry you got news that you didn't want to hear If you think this new curriculum will work maybe you can find used copies of some of the materials on fee-bay, amazon, or through homeschooling chat groups that would be willing to swap or share materials, this way you can try it out to see if it worthwhile. I hope that you are able to figure out what will work for your special guy. I will keep you both in my prayers.

 

[Granna4679]

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! I have tried to hard to keep up with the thread but I just end up lurking. I can read the thread one handed while nursing but I have not mastered typing one handed yet.

I haven't sewn anything in over 2 months - it is driving me crazy. Megan is keeping me on my toes and away from the sewing machine for now.
Here is a new pic of the girls from Christmas.

This is just the cutest picture ever!!!! Love it. How is Lauren doing with her now? Is she getting used to having a little one around?

 

[minnie2]

Love the sewing rooms! I am so jealous! one day!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! I have tried to hard to keep up with the thread but I just end up lurking. I can read the thread one handed while nursing but I have not mastered typing one handed yet.

I haven't sewn anything in over 2 months - it is driving me crazy. Megan is keeping me on my toes and away from the sewing machine for now.
Here is a new pic of the girls from Christmas.

We decided to cloth diaper Megan and are using pocket diapers. http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1279 I really don't like the inserts that come with the diapers so I am currently waiting for some hemp fabric to arrive to make my own. It isn't much but at least I will be sewing something.
And just because this is my favorite diaper in our current stash:

Stacey they are just adorable! Love the Leopard dipe!!!!



Nini-I really don't have advice but I wanted to let you know I was thinking about you.

 

[lori123]

This is the most recent thing I have finished. I was shopping at Old Navy and my eyes went right to this beautiful red dress on clearance. It was still $14, but me being cheap and a Disboutiquer I thought, I can make that!! So I used the precious dress pattern and changed the skirt up a bit, added a lot of ruffles and some little embelishments and waalaa (sp???)! It is so cute on-she wore it to church and got a lot of compliments. I figure it will work for the holiday season or Valentines day. Now, though, I want to make it in all sorts of colors!
I used a cotton sateen that is so nice, but not too expensive!

Thanks for looking!

Jessica

You did a great job - this is such a beautiful dress!

 

[snubie]

This is just the cutest picture ever!!!! Love it. How is Lauren doing with her now? Is she getting used to having a little one around?

Interesting that you should ask this...
Lauren LOVES her little sister but she has started acting out now and saying things like "no one wants me anymore" and "You never have time for me." Does anyone have any advice for how to deal with this? I feel so guilty that I cannot spend as much time with Lauren as I used to but there is only so much time in one day. Megan is still nursing every 2-3 hours during the day and it takes a good amount of time to get her to sleep as well. I am exhausted and feeling so guilty. And words of wisdom from those moms out there with more experience than me in this area of having more than one child?

 

[lori123]

I love hairstyle blogs! We have the same problem - Ella is a curly girl, too. I have found one that I truly love on her - it takes time, but is soooo worth it when it's all done! I looked for the blog - it's still there, but looks like she's leaving She still has the tutorial up, but no pictures. Anyway, here's a picture of Ella in the 'do that I'm talking about - I can try and take pics and so a tutorial for you if you're interested.

The pics are kind of dark but I think you get the gist of it. The blog I found the idea on is http://www.girlydohairstyles.com/2008/08/got-time.html It's called "Got time" and like I said, it does take some time, but now that I've done it a few times, it's easier and quicker. Also, I don't do the "messy bun" at the end since Ella has curls. I just leave it out and curly!

WOW - this is absolutely ADORABLE!! Love it!

Hey has anyone every gone to a Sewing Expo before?? There is one in Tampa next month and then one in Cleveland in March. I for sure am gonig up for a day to the Tampa show and I might go to the Cleveland show as well as I can meet up with me niece, mom and aunt. IF anyone is going it would be great to meet up!

I went two years ago. I took several classes but don't feel I learned much because they are short and you can't really get in depth info. I also thought it was geared mostly to quilters. As far as the expo itself - there were a lot of cool vendors - I bought a few hard to find items - but I also can usually find everything I need on the internet cheaper. I am going to go this year and wander a bit - but I am not taking any classes.

 

[ireland_nicole]

My daughter and I went to the one in Atlanta last year. We had a blast. We are taking my DIL and GD this year!


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Is anyone here experienced in teaching learning disabled children? I homeschool my youngest. He had a series of Neurpsychological evaluations. I just met with his doctors and got the results. While none of the results were not expected, somehow their recommendations left me...wondering.

I now need to completely rethink our home school experience and almost do a 180... The only actual school skill we will continue with is reading. The rest will be 'life skills'. Math will become teaching him how to use a calculator. We will focus on things like making sandwiches and doing chores.

Since his reading problems don't have a specific name like 'dyslexia' I am having problems finding some suggestions on how to help. At age 8, he is reading on a 4 year old level..meaning he knows his ABCs and the sounds each letter makes (for the most part) he has a lot of problems putting the letters together and making words.

Sorry for the rant and rambling...I guess I am still reeling form the meeting. Maybe I need a nap!

Nini

I'm not a teacher, but a mom to two kids w/ different disabilities. Here's my first thought. Don't listen to the docs. I don't mean live in denial, or stick your head in the sand and pretend everythings fine, but NO test knows a child. Every child has unique gifts and abilities that only God knows the limits of. Will your child learn differently? Possibly. Will your child learn things slower? Probably. Will he go to college? Probably not. BUT: I think it is far to early to give up on him. I know you're grateful for all he can do, and trying to understand what "experts" think his cognitive functioning level is. But Maybe this is an opportunity to create a curriculum around what he enjoys. to you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! I have tried to hard to keep up with the thread but I just end up lurking. I can read the thread one handed while nursing but I have not mastered typing one handed yet.

I haven't sewn anything in over 2 months - it is driving me crazy. Megan is keeping me on my toes and away from the sewing machine for now.
Here is a new pic of the girls from Christmas.

We decided to cloth diaper Megan and are using pocket diapers. http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1279 I really don't like the inserts that come with the diapers so I am currently waiting for some hemp fabric to arrive to make my own. It isn't much but at least I will be sewing something.
And just because this is my favorite diaper in our current stash:

So cute! I love the pic! I know it's hard when your "first" shows jealousy of the second. It's perfectly normal, but it's hard to see. Show her affection and praise when you can, allow her to "help" by getting things for the baby, etc. and praise her for her efforts, try to do things with her, reading, etc. while nursing Megan; try to set aside time when baby's sleeping just for mommy and her time. Reassure her that she is still loved and valued. I know they're probably all things you're doing already, but figured I'd mention them, jic.

 

[birdie757]

Interesting that you should ask this...
Lauren LOVES her little sister but she has started acting out now and saying things like "no one wants me anymore" and "You never have time for me." Does anyone have any advice for how to deal with this? I feel so guilty that I cannot spend as much time with Lauren as I used to but there is only so much time in one day. Megan is still nursing every 2-3 hours during the day and it takes a good amount of time to get her to sleep as well. I am exhausted and feeling so guilty. And words of wisdom from those moms out there with more experience than me in this area of having more than one child?

While we are still working on a second child, I do have advice that my mom gave me on what she did with me after my sister was born. We were 2 1/2 years apart and I had a hard time with her arrival. It was worse because my mom broke her back when she was about 6 months pregnant with my sister so all day after that until my sis was born she just would lay on the couch and read to me and color with me and stuff so it was a total shock for me. She made a point to do something with me each week with no baby. Sometimes she could take me to the library some weeks she could only manage to drop my sister off at my grandmas and take me for a happy meal. But she made a big deal that it was something that only a big sister could do. Evidently that really helped the transition. She said once my sister could sort of "play" with me I got over my jealousy.

Good Luck!

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

This is the most recent thing I have finished. I was shopping at Old Navy and my eyes went right to this beautiful red dress on clearance. It was still $14, but me being cheap and a Disboutiquer I thought, I can make that!! So I used the precious dress pattern and changed the skirt up a bit, added a lot of ruffles and some little embelishments and waalaa (sp???)! It is so cute on-she wore it to church and got a lot of compliments. I figure it will work for the holiday season or Valentines day. Now, though, I want to make it in all sorts of colors!
I used a cotton sateen that is so nice, but not too expensive!

Thanks for looking!

Jessica

This is SO cute, can you tell us how you did the ruffles?

 

[Eyore4Ever149]

Snubie,
Your girls are adorable!!

Megan said stuff that was tough when Hannah came home...
The first week it was like "I love Daddy and NOT Mommy" (in front of me)
She still requests Daddy for a lot of stuff, but I think part of that is because Daddy lets her do naughty stuff (like jumping off couch) and my rules are written in stone for the most part.
It's been an adjustment for us. I never was able to follow people's advice about doing other stuff while nursing, I always needed both hands- one to hold the baby and the other to support my breast (sorry if thats TMI!)
However, I did enroll Megan into a little preschool program, which gives her an opportunity to be with other kids her age and do arts and crafts, have time on a playground, etc. This also means the time I have with her when she doesnt go I make sure to do fun things with her.
Over Christmas time I went on to the Disney family website and selected a bunch of crafts to do with her- so 2 or 3 days a week we worked on things like gingerbread houses, ornaments, baking cookies. I would put Hannah in the swing, or hold her on my lap. Even coloring, etc.
I think time and allowing her to adjust is a big part of it.
I know for us I think its just part of being 3. She was SUCH a doll when she was 2, i couldn't understand "terrible 2s" but man, 3 has been tough, she is more dramatic, says no more, tried out temper tantrums for a while.
Staying calm and praying for patience has been key. I NEVER lost my temper before. But I'm more volatile (spelling?) now.

I think families are a work in progress.
I like to think of a cardboard sign hanging from my neck and from megan's and keep my "nice voice"

God bless and good luck!

 

[Granna4679]

Interesting that you should ask this...
Lauren LOVES her little sister but she has started acting out now and saying things like "no one wants me anymore" and "You never have time for me." Does anyone have any advice for how to deal with this? I feel so guilty that I cannot spend as much time with Lauren as I used to but there is only so much time in one day. Megan is still nursing every 2-3 hours during the day and it takes a good amount of time to get her to sleep as well. I am exhausted and feeling so guilty. And words of wisdom from those moms out there with more experience than me in this area of having more than one child?

Ahhh. My daughter has a 4 yr old and a 2 yr old. Not only did the 4 yr old react this way when the youngest was born but then the little one got RSV @ one month and had to be hospitalized for a week. This just compounded the "jealousy". She also nursed and they were in the process of moving to Houston (from about 100 miles away) all at the same time. I told her that it would all work out. Despite how tired she was and needed sleep herself, I and several others encouraged her to spend a few minutes each day with JUST the oldest (whether it be baking cookies, watching a TV show, doing a puzzle, or just holding her and talking to her). In those alone times, let her know you love her and are having fun spending "special" time with her. It takes a while and believe me there will always be a bit of jealousy, but in the end, they will be friends. My DGD's absolutely love each other and are each other's best friend now. They miss each other when separated for whatever reason for any length of time BUT they still love the attention they get during that time alone with Mommy.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Sorry for the rant and rambling...I guess I am still reeling form the meeting. Maybe I need a nap!

Nini

No advice but lots of hugs.

Here is a new pic of the girls from Christmas.

Such a beautiful picture! One I'm sure the girls will cherish forever!

 

[glorib]

Ok. So I'm really stressed right now. So KC and really the midwest in general has had some pretty cr@ptastic weather lately. So much that school was out Monday, today and the rest of the week. We also used one snow day before Christmas break. So that's our 5 "built in" days. If we have any more, we have to go longer - our scheduled last day is June 2. Our family vacation starts June 7. So I'm really worried about having more snow days and having to make them up. Which means me working longer because I'm the school nurse. And I feel like I'm being really selfish worrying over this as I know there are much worse things.

So I know maybe I should have scheduled further out, but I really couldn't for a couple of reasons - we had a code that was only good until June 12. We had to use airline credit from last year when we had to cancel our trip.

We NEVER have this many snow days - I think there was ONE last year! I have no idea how this is all going to play out, but we absolutely cannot cancel another trip! a) we would lose the airline credit altogether - and b) we've had a pretty crummy year (sister-in-law passed away in June and our home was burglarized in October among other smaller things that all add up) and we NEED this vacation!

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent. I'm sure it will get worked out one way or another. It just sucks because I can't really talk it over with anyone at work until Monday.

 

[AQW]

We decided to cloth diaper Megan and are using pocket diapers. http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1279 I really don't like the inserts that come with the diapers so I am currently waiting for some hemp fabric to arrive to make my own. It isn't much but at least I will be sewing something.
And just because this is my favorite diaper in our current stash:

WAY cute! Cloth diapering is awesome - I just wish I'd started sewing when my princess was still in dipes!

And now on to my woe-is-me rant of the day...

Apparently, I am embroidery challenged.

I was SO essited about finally getting my long-awaited embroidery machine... and now, turns out it's one more craft thing I'm not good at it and it really makes it no fun at all. So far I can barely sew, I can't applique, and now I can't do machine embroidery.

I'm using Heather's awesome designs, so that's not the problem. I've read my machine's manual cover-to-cover many times... keep it right next to me when I'm working... and still, I'm doing stuff wrong and my projects come out looking stupid and I can't figure out why. My centering is way off, I can't figure out the design size/position so I have no clue where it will end up on the finished garment. I did manage to hoop a kids' XS t-shirt with reasonable success, so that was one small victory, but I'm so clueless about the embroidery part I can't even bring myself to TRY putting fabrics in for applique like I wanted to.

Whine, whine, whine. (Anybody got any cheese?)

And we leave in a week.

 

[Stephres]

They are so cute together! I didn't have a lot of trouble with Jacob when I brought Megan home, except he wouldn't call her by her name. "Put the baby down and play with me" or " the baby is hungry" is what I would hear. I had him in preschool a few mornings a week which gave me a break and I took him to story time at the library and other activities where it was just the two of us (with the baby in the car seat). I think it helped to make him feel important that there were things the baby couldn't do that he could.

Megan walked by and said, "hey, Megan Grace! And her big sister!" LOL!

Oh my, that is a cutie! I just love that picture and that hairstyle is gorgeous!

 

[billwendy]

Is anyone here experienced in teaching learning disabled children? I homeschool my youngest. He had a series of Neurpsychological evaluations. I just met with his doctors and got the results. While none of the results were not expected, somehow their recommendations left me...wondering.

I now need to completely rethink our home school experience and almost do a 180... The only actual school skill we will continue with is reading. The rest will be 'life skills'. Math will become teaching him how to use a calculator. We will focus on things like making sandwiches and doing chores.

Since his reading problems don't have a specific name like 'dyslexia' I am having problems finding some suggestions on how to help. At age 8, he is reading on a 4 year old level..meaning he knows his ABCs and the sounds each letter makes (for the most part) he has a lot of problems putting the letters together and making words.

Sorry for the rant and rambling...I guess I am still reeling form the meeting. Maybe I need a nap!

Nini

Hugs Nini - I am only an OT, but I think that 8 is really too young to only focus on life skills and not education. While live skills are REALLY important, its usually in the early teen years that the docs around here would recommend that for a child. I know you are committed to home schooling, but would your school district be able to offer any types of tutors who may be willing to work with you on different subjects? That worked very well for my cousin who has a son with a learning disability (He now attends the Public HS but was home schooled until 9th grade). He is involved with therapies, right? OT, speech - maybe a cognitive therapist? I've also heard very good things about Interactive Metronome (lots of good educational research) and fast forward (a reading program). Please chat with me if there is anything at all I could help you think through or get you resources on.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! I have tried to hard to keep up with the thread but I just end up lurking. I can read the thread one handed while nursing but I have not mastered typing one handed yet.

I haven't sewn anything in over 2 months - it is driving me crazy. Megan is keeping me on my toes and away from the sewing machine for now.
Here is a new pic of the girls from Christmas.

We decided to cloth diaper Megan and are using pocket diapers. http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=98&products_id=1279 I really don't like the inserts that come with the diapers so I am currently waiting for some hemp fabric to arrive to make my own. It isn't much but at least I will be sewing something.
And just because this is my favorite diaper in our current stash:

ADORABLE!! Im sure you will be back to sewing before you know it!! enjoy those little baby days!!

 

[eeyore3847]

woo hoo.... Finally got 2 designs done and modeled today...

Lori

 

[TinkerbelleMom]

WAY cute! Cloth diapering is awesome - I just wish I'd started sewing when my princess was still in dipes!

And now on to my woe-is-me rant of the day...

Apparently, I am embroidery challenged.

I was SO essited about finally getting my long-awaited embroidery machine... and now, turns out it's one more craft thing I'm not good at it and it really makes it no fun at all. So far I can barely sew, I can't applique, and now I can't do machine embroidery.

I'm using Heather's awesome designs, so that's not the problem. I've read my machine's manual cover-to-cover many times... keep it right next to me when I'm working... and still, I'm doing stuff wrong and my projects come out looking stupid and I can't figure out why. My centering is way off, I can't figure out the design size/position so I have no clue where it will end up on the finished garment. I did manage to hoop a kids' XS t-shirt with reasonable success, so that was one small victory, but I'm so clueless about the embroidery part I can't even bring myself to TRY putting fabrics in for applique like I wanted to.

Whine, whine, whine. (Anybody got any cheese?)

And we leave in a week.

http://swakembroidery.com/swak-101.htm
Here's a good place to look for some tutorials...also check youtube, I've seen some video tutes there, but don't have direct links saved. The only thing I don't do is use the spray adhesive to secure my applique fabrics, it's too hard to cut them out. Someone here suggested to make the pieces crispy with spray starch, and that worked best for me. I sort of cheat on my t-shirts, I find the center front, then press lines into the shirt, which I match up with the little bumps on the hoop edges. It takes a few tries sometimes, but it seems to work for me. Does your machine have the option to let you see where the design will be within the hoop?...on my machine it's an icon that looks like a box made of a running stitch ending with an arrow...when I touch that it does a quick trip around the design area within the hoop. If I want to change it, the arrows in the display will move it .05cm with each touch. I always do a trial run of each applique, even HeatherSue's, but not to check her, it gives me an idea of where the design is in the hoop...this I do on cheap muslin. I'm getting a good collection of these, I've got to think of something to do with them someday! Hope this helps, it does get easier, I promise.

 

[ireland_nicole]

woo hoo.... Finally got 2 designs done and modeled today...

Lori

Cute!

 

[Piper]

My daughter and I went to the one in Atlanta last year. We had a blast. We are taking my DIL and GD this year!


+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Is anyone here experienced in teaching learning disabled children? I homeschool my youngest. He had a series of Neurpsychological evaluations. I just met with his doctors and got the results. While none of the results were not expected, somehow their recommendations left me...wondering.

I now need to completely rethink our home school experience and almost do a 180... The only actual school skill we will continue with is reading. The rest will be 'life skills'. Math will become teaching him how to use a calculator. We will focus on things like making sandwiches and doing chores.

Since his reading problems don't have a specific name like 'dyslexia' I am having problems finding some suggestions on how to help. At age 8, he is reading on a 4 year old level..meaning he knows his ABCs and the sounds each letter makes (for the most part) he has a lot of problems putting the letters together and making words.

Sorry for the rant and rambling...I guess I am still reeling form the meeting. Maybe I need a nap!

Nini

The fact that he knows his letters and sounds shows that he does learn. He can definitely memorize. Don't go buy an expensive curriculum....I would google the Dolch sight word list and start with the first few words. Make flash cards, make bingo cards and play word bingo. Check out books from the library and read to him (and let him find those sight words in the books.) When he has around 20 words, start writing sentences using those words--and let him read them. Then cut them apart and let him put them back together in order. Let him make new sentences with the words (be sure to include his name and other family names .) Slowly add words -- even let him tell you some words he wants to learn. Make a word wall on one of the walls in your teaching room--put the words on there. Play games with your word wall....pretend to be a cheerleader and say "give me an "a", give me an "n", give me a "d'---What does that spell? "and" yea! Clap the letters in the word. Stomp the floor for each letter in the word......you get the drift. Don't focus on phonics so much until he gets a solid bank of sight words--then use those very familiar words to teach how the sounds fit the words.

Sorry this is so much, but I work with children from many countries and the way they pronounce words doesn't always lead to learning by phonics first, so I invented my own system. Eighteen of my 40 Pre-K students are starting to read independently. If you want more ideas and tips PM me or I will cause this board to be bored!